管

• Reading: かん
• Romaji: kan
• Kanji breakdown: 管 (kan/kuda) — pipe, tube, control
• Pronunciation: /ka.n/

Meaning

Pipe; tube. A hollow cylindrical structure for conveying fluids or air.

A noun used for physical pipes and tubes in plumbing, science, and medicine. Appears in many compounds: 水道管 (water pipe), 血管 (blood vessel), 管楽器 (wind instrument). The on-yomi カン is most common in compounds while くだ is the native reading.

Examples

1. 古い水道管を交換する工事が始まった。 Construction to replace the old water pipes has begun.
2. 管の中に空気が入ってしまった。 Air got into the tube.
3. この管を通して水が流れている。 Water flows through this pipe.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, science, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 管 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 官 (official). Originally referred to bamboo tubes used by officials for carrying documents, later generalized to any tube or pipe.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal